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Home / New Zealand

Hutt Valley Lime scooter users clock up injuries at alarming rate

By Belinda Feek
Reporter·NZ Herald·
3 Jan, 2019 09:03 PM3 mins to read

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A cyclist was injured with fractured bones after colliding with a lime scooter.

Lime e-scooter users in the Wellington region are injuring themselves nearly as quickly as those in Auckland and Christchurch after just 18 days of the two-wheelers in the area.

Since their release in the Hutt Valley on December 14, 28 people had lodged an injury claim with ACC.

It brings the total number of e-scooter claims to more than 600 since they were introduced in New Zealand in October.

The most common cause of injury was loss of balance or personal control at 517, while 20 were caused by crashes, 15 by twisting or movement, 10 by slipping or skidding on foot.

By similar comparison, after 25 days of the scooters running riot in Auckland, 57 people had lodged claims, along with 32 from Christchurch city.

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Users try out Lime scooters during their launch in the Hutt Valley last month. Twenty-eight people lodged injury claims over an 18 day period. Photo / File
Users try out Lime scooters during their launch in the Hutt Valley last month. Twenty-eight people lodged injury claims over an 18 day period. Photo / File

In total, 352 people had hit up ACC in Auckland, 200 in Christchurch, 28 in Hutt Valley and 27 people around the rest of New Zealand.

An internal email leaked to the Herald has revealed Lime scooters will have their licence extended until the end of March, despite the large number of battered and bruised left in their wake.

Auckland Council is due to announce its decision next week, but the internal email indicates the trial will be extended to the end of March.

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Beyond that, Lime scooters could disappear from Auckland's streets, get a permanent trading licence or a licence with conditions, such as the 10km/h speed limit floated by Mayor Phil Goff.

Regarding the trial extension, Lime's APAC director of government affairs, Mitchell Price, said: "Auckland has really taken to our smart mobility transport option with over 500,000 trips since launch.

"We look forward to working with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to make Lime a permanent transport choice for moving around Auckland/NZ."

Amy Gianfrancesco fractured her neck after crashing her Lime scooter last month. Photo / File
Amy Gianfrancesco fractured her neck after crashing her Lime scooter last month. Photo / File

An unscientific survey carried out by the Herald online, showed a licence renewal was the last thing they wanted with 53 per cent against the idea.

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Only 28 per cent of voters were for the idea, while 19 per cent said yes as long as a 10 km/h speed limit and helmets were compulsory.

Countless users have been left hospitalised after coming off the machines.

Last month, UK citizen Amy Gianfrancesco told the Herald she'd never use an e-scooter again after crashing late at night and suffering a fractured neck, a lost tooth and severe facial bruising.

She'd had a few drinks while playing mini golf at Holey Moley and was still struggling to piece together exactly what happened after she was found unconscious on Great North Rd, where she lived.

Fractures and dislocations have been the third most common injury, statistics released by ACC show, with 106 claims.

Of the total 607, 292 people suffered soft tissue injuries, followed by 175 with lacerations/punctures or stings. Just 11 suffered a concussion or brain injury while five needed help from a dentist, the remaining four were not listed.

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The upper and lower arm was the most common area to injure on the body, with 79 claims, followed by knee, 78, hand/wrist, 75, ankle, 66, head [except face] 45, face, 42, shoulder 30.

The largest number of claims, 70, were filed in the week beginning November 4, last year. The least number, 29, were notched up during the week of Christmas.

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